One of the pioneers of creative/original writing on the Internet, Governor Linda Lingle of Hawaii thought he could make the greatest impact stimulating the thinking in Hawaii by running for the legislature. Whether one wins or loses an election, he thinks concerned citizens must persist in articulating the best ideas on what government can be, because it is the clarity of thinking in society that is the underlying basis of government -- and not merely the individuals in office.

Monday, July 16, 2018

War of the Worlds

One hundred and twenty years ago, H.G. Wells wrote the very prescient story of the invasion by gigantic monsters of formidable destruction from another world -- who briefly reign terror on the human population, but just as quickly and thoroughly, are overcome and destroyed by the bacteria and viruses for which they had never evolved defenses for dealing with.Those who do hang around longer, evolve their defenses slowly over time -- so it is not as telling and obvious, but struggle throughout their lives -- as an attack on their immune systems, of which they are seldom certain or even aware they are engaged in. They just know that something is wrong -- and appeal desperately for those who can make it right -- even if they can't, or have never been successful before. But they are the "experts" -- and claim nobody else has a right to that jurisdiction. Only they are entitled to all the funding even as their "cause" seems increasingly hopeless -- and getting worse under their guidance.As always, a few do not succumb so readily, and dedicate their lives to finding a cure (solution) -- realizing that their (own) lives depend on it. Yet to varying degrees and lesser extents, we are all engaged in that struggle to overcome whatever deficiencies and handicaps life has handed out to each -- as our unique lives and destinies. As much as some would have it, we will not all have the same lives and outcomes -- but each will have their own unique challenges, and tasks to overcome -- not only while they are young, but all their lives -- which then becomes the summation and culmination of their existence.Not surprisingly, it ends very badly for some -- often in some final, senseless, desperate act. Most live on, while a rare few prevail -- and surpass the expectations for all others -- in finding a new and better way for themselves, and then passing on those new realities (adaptations) to the others.We take a lot for granted -- as the way things are, and have to be -- while there might already exist cures for most common and widespread disabling conditions that have become major industries in themselves. However, putting them all together into a formidable response to most everyday problems and tasks, has always been the great challenge of living in any age and time. The lack previously, was easy access to all the information -- as well as the manipulations of it by one (or more) exclusive special (self-)interest group hoping to exercise their advantage over all the others.In most cases, that arrogance is merely presumed -- rather than officially sanctioned -- or merited, as nobody can tell the difference, and are discouraged from making those very valid discriminations. It is enough just to allow a few to make those discriminations for everybody else -- as the "correct" ones -- as though they knew, and had a right to. Those were the days -- of another era, surely.